ClueBy
TodayArchiveWord list

Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
YesNo
↻ New worksheet

Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: temple · saw · leaves · bowl · perch · key · lash · calf

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. saw — the tool
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. key — in music
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. key — for a lock
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. key — the most important part
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. saw — the tool
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. perch — the fish
  24. temple — a place of worship

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com